Because he starred locally at the University of Miami, fan expectations for Lamar Miller, the Dolphins’ fourth-round selection, are high heading into his rookie season. Miller recently spoke with John Congemi and Sam Madisonabout his expectations heading into training camp and how’s had to adjust to practicing in an NFL offense. Here’s what he had to say:

On transitioning from being a Miami Hurricane to a Miami Dolphin:

“It’s very special just staying at home, playing on my home field at Sun Life Stadium. Hopefully my fans will still be there and I’m going to do everything just to help the team out.”

On learning a new offense as an NFL player:

“I feel that the playbook is coming pretty good to me. A lot of the veterans have been helping me out—Reggie Bush, Steve Slaton and Daniel Thomas. They’ve been putting me under their wings, getting me used to the playbook and just been on the field competing every day, just getting better and better.”

On working with Reggie Bush, Steve Slaton and Daniel Thomas:

“It’s a blessing. I used to look up to those guys when I was in high school, when those guys were coming out of USC and West Virginia. Those were some of the people I looked at growing up, just being in the backfield because we have the same running ability. Now having those guys mentoring me and letting them take me under their wings with the playbook and everything is just helping me compete with them and it feels good.”

On the ability to showcase his technique during training camp:

“I’m ready to do everything. That’s something I’ve been working on during OTAs and individuals, my pass protection. That’s something I feel that I have to work on, and I’m just competing every day.”

On difficulty of the offensive playbook and transitioning from a college to a professional athlete:

“We pretty much have the same playbook. We ran the same thing, a West Coast offense. The only things that I have to get down pat are the signals; that’s something I feel that I need work on. But the playbook, I’m coming along pretty good with it.”

On the pace of the offense:

“That’s different. At the University of Miami we just got in the huddle the majority of the time. We didn’t run a hurry-up offense. It’s just been a fast-pace offense. We just have to be in great condition and be more disciplined and mentally tough.”

On his goals heading into training camp:

“I’ve been working out with some of the guys during the combine—Frank Gore, Willis McGahee—guys like that. I’m just trying to do everything to help the team out, just get some playing time and help the team win.”

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